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Calaguas Trip!

Calaguas is a group of islands in the province of Camarines Norte. It is known for its white sand and clear water. The most well-known island there is Tinaga Island. It is where the Mahabang Buhangin or Long Beach is located. The island is still underdeveloped, so don’t expect much on the accommodation. But they offer nipa huts with bed and private cr but our group opted for the tent instead.

This was supposed to be a 3D2N-trip last February but it was cancelled and rescheduled due to bad weather. And since we all couldn’t take a leave, we changed our package to 2D1N only.

Our contact was Kuya Dindo of Sandtoes Travel. They required us to pay half of the price as downpayment five days before the actual trip. For our 2D1N package, it cost us 3,500 including the Manila-Daet roundtrip bus fare. Other inclusions were tent accommodation, boat transfers from port to the island and vice versa, 4 meals(lunch and dinner on day 1; breakfast and lunch on day 2), and overflowing cocktails at night.

We left Cubao at 10PM Friday night. The bus was I think rented to accommodate all the Calaguas-bound passengers. We arrived in Daet at 7 Saturday morning. We were supposed to have our breakfast at Jollibee. But since there were many tourists eating there at that time, I brought my team to Sinangag Plaza where we ordered porksilog for 70 Php only.

We went back to Jollibee where our bus waited for us. Before leaving the town, I bought water and some snacks. At around 8:30, our bus left and travelled to Vinzons. It was a short trip only. Then from Vinzons town proper, a jeepney took us to the port. At around 9:40, our boat left and there started our 2-hr long journey to the island.

When we arrived there, the tents were already set-up, including the assignments of the cottages(additional payment of 500 per day, not included in the package). A few minutes later, we were already called in to have our lunch. It was buffet style. For our lunch, they served menudo, fried fish, and watermelon.

After our lunch, we just stayed in the cottage because it was still too hot to dip in the water. At around 1:30, Kuya Dindo asked us if we wanted to go island hopping. For free! We didn’t know it was included in our package. Anyway, at first we were all excited but as we waited for our turn(they divided us into groups because the boat could only accommodate 25 persons and I think for the island to be not too crowded), our excitement withered until we finally decided to just stay in the cottage. One of my teammates brought Monopoly Millionaire and as our pastime, we all played it. At 3:30, we already started swimming. We also played volleyball even under the intense heat of the sun. Then we went kayaking. It was all for free! You just have to ask Kuya Dindo if they didn’t offer. 🙂

We also watched the sunset, took pictures and by around 6PM, we were already tired from the endless swimming and playing.

The dinner was served at around 7 in the evening. Meals served were grilled pork, sinantol(a famous vegetable in Bicol), sauteed bean sprout and pineapple for the fruit. After dinner, we all took a bath and then waited for the cocktails to be served.

My friends and I didn’t drink that much. We decided to just lay down in the sand and stargaze. We saw and wished upon falling stars. Arg. Unfortunately, my camera couldn’t take a decent photo of the night sky.

At around midnight, we already went back to our tents and ended the day since our call time the following day was early.

We woke up at 6:30 to take our breakfast(which was also good!) not the typical hotdog and egg breakfast. They served us dried fish, pork giniling and boiled egg.

At 8 in the morning, our boat was set to leave the island. But we had some problems with the boat. Our trip got delayed for an hour. It was a good thing that all of us passengers were still cool with it. Some even dived again into the ocean while waiting. At 12 in the afternoon, we were already back in Vinzons town proper where our bus that would take us to Bagasbas was waiting.

There were not much activities left to do in the afternoon (unless you’re really into surfing) since Bagasbas is well-known for its waves suited for surfing.

We left Bicol at 6 in the evening and arrived in Manila 4 Monday morning. Short trip but it was totally worth it.